Pregnancy - Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy varies from woman to woman and depends on body type. Each woman should talk with her care provider about the appropriate amount of weight gain, as well as diet and exercise.

2009 Recommendations for Pregnancy Weight Gain by BMI (Body Mass Index) from the Institute of Medicine

Prepregnancy

BMI

BMI

Total Gain

Range

Rate of Gain in 2nd and 3rd

Trimester

Underweight

less than 18.5

28-40 lbs

1 (1-1.3) lbs/week

Normal Weight

18.5-24.9

25-35 lbs

1 (0.8-1) lbs/week

Overweight

25.0-29.9

15-25 lbs

0.6 (0.5-0.7) lbs/week

Obese

greater than 30.0

11-20 lbs

0.5 (0.4-0.6) lbs/week

Total weight gain at the end of pregnancy is, in most instances, approximated as follows, according to the March of Dimes: